Taking on the Three Peaks Challenge

Three peaks, three mountains, three countries… and a lot of sweets. Jordan Chapman shares how the team tackled the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charities across the UK. 

Last weekend, a group of us from Teaching Personnel decided it would be a good idea to climb the three highest peaks in the UK in just 24 hours. It was tough, cold, and very sweaty by the end - but absolutely unforgettable.

The trip kicked off with a Birmingham pick-up (some had already been travelling over 4 hours just to get there), then a detour via Preston for more teammates before the long drive up to Fort William. Shout out to our two drivers who were the best double act since Ant and Dec, who kept us all in good spirits the entire way. We knew they would be fun the way they handled reversing into a wall on the first day, they were as much part of the challenge as we were.

Ben Nevis was up first. We set off at sunset, which sounded romantic until we realised it meant a 7km descent in complete darkness with only head torches. Over 15km later, fastest time 4 hours 28 minutes, a few injuries, and a lot of sore legs, knees, ankles and hamstrings, we stumbled back to the bus in one piece. McDonald’s mayo chicken never tasted so good.

Scafell Pike, our Alarms went off while it was still pitch black, but the reward was reaching the summit just as the sun rose over the Lake District. Around 8km and 3 hours of climbing later, we were back on the bus onto our next destination.

Finally, it was Snowdon via the Pyg Track. This one was a mix of scrambling, climbing, and wondering if we’d eaten too many Haribos to make it up. We reached the summit just in time for another stunning sunset, but then came the realisation… what goes up, must come down… in the dark… scrambling. Let’s just say it was character-building.

We finished exhausted, hobbling, and not exactly smelling fresh. But buzzing from the experience. Three peaks, three countries, four different meals at Wetherspoons and countless memories made, all while raising money for charities that are close to our hearts.

Would I personally do it again? Ask me once my knees stop hurting.